Kick it into gear...

This is going to be an interesting season of prioritizing my life. I'm going to get to choose whether or not watching 3 episodes of "Lie to Me" on a given night would be better spent doing ANYTHING else. I get the feeling that my time is like a bank account, where a certain amount is withdrawn at the end of the day. It's my job to decide how I "spend" that time. If it was actual money, I would be tempted to squander it on nonsense; but would that satisfy past the 2nd or 3rd day? I imagine I would look to invest it in something that provides a return; something that will actually make a difference in my life and in the lives of others. How does my time differ from that? At the end of the week, I want to feel that the time deducted, regardless of how I spent it, was spent well. Part of that process is going to include blogging here more often. I find that spending time fleshing out ideas helps me to process them as well. Next update to hopefully include some steps in the right direction.

God's Cruise Ship

A message I shared at Glendora Alliance Church on 9/26/2010. I hope it blesses you and points you to the truth.

I promise...

This is an old message that our family friend Laila left on our old tape message machine back in 1992 or so. Laila was ticked, because she knew we were probably at the arcade (which we weren't supposed to be going to)...she was right! Anyway, it's really cute because she was 4 or so, and her motherly tone cracked everyone up. Now it just makes her blush (married and living in Oregon).

"Coal No More" written March 2000

A pile of fuel lays on the ground. We take notice of one of the pieces. Coarse and dark, it has no form, no hope of being shaped. Existing, with no hint of its imminent demise. Ready to walk into the furnace, but quickly picked out. Picked out by a loving hand, so gentle and caring. Nothing but love to share. This hand, gentle yet strong, forms the black mass into a gem. No matter how dimly it glistens, no matter how uncut, still a gem. It’s hopes of being picked out realized when all was put on the line in exchange. This now gem no better, only more treasured. With every cut and every polish, it glows more brilliantly. Shown the way to everlasting existence, this gem cannot burn in the fire, for it has accepted the form it was given. Everlasting, un-breaking, waiting for the day to shine as a star, to give hope to those still combustible. Remembering it would be no gem had it not been saved. To return to the earth as ashes, not the steadfast, uncompromising strength it has attained. Tempted to jump from the sky to join the others, it knows better, for it is plain to see with nearby lights shining bright. The only way to be a gem was to not try to be a gem at all. It was to allow the gentle, caring hand to form it. Only then can it see what lies ahead. Everlasting brilliance guaranteed by this master craftsman. The most precise cut by this master artist, who aims only to make all dark lifeless forms into His glorious creations. No matter how small, not matter how large, still a gem. No matter how new, no matter how old, still a gem. No matter how opaque, still a gem. Still worthy of being worn, still hoping to be chosen, despite how small it is. Polished now or polished later, the end result is all the same. Is this gem not a gem? Did it not give up all it knew before to be a gem, as did the others; surely this rock can sparkle. If not but with the help and love of those who helped choose this stone. This gem is worthy of existence in someone’s heart, for it is coal no more.

Stick 'em up!

A funny interaction from my facebook profile, responding to this quote: "blaming guns for violence is like blaming pencils for misspellings. stupid people are the problem."

Laila: Yes, but if you take away the source from "stupid people" they would have less means for that violence.

Cameron: How do you remove someone's source for stupid? It seems like stupid flows from an internal, unquenchable spring. Oh! You mean remove the guns? Stupid people are surprisingly clever in being able to demonstrate violence with knives, barstools, fists, an axe, their car. Nope... unless you find a way to remove the stupid from the person, I fear you'll never get rid of violence. Guns are just more scary to the average person than other weapons, and thus, easy to pin blame.

Kristin: Or blaming the spoon for people being fat!! Can't stop stupid!

Cameron: Kristin, I swear it IS the evil spoon that shovels mounds of ice-cream into my mouth against my will. I wouldn't eat ice-cream otherwise, but that spoon keeps making me do it. I think Laila is onto something; I'm going to go home today and throw out ALL the spoons! Phew! I thought I'd be at the mercy of the spoon for my whole life. Maybe I can melt my spoons down into bullets.

Laila: You can go ahead and mock me, but when you accidentally shoot yourself in the foot Cameron I'll be the one who is laughing.

Cameron: I won't shoot myself in the foot... but I have cut myself with a knife by accident on several occasions. I seem to have an issue with several kitchen implements. The only one that hasn't acted with malice toward me is the fork. Yes, the good ol' fork is certainly a trustworthy utensil to have in the kitchen. Not to be confused with that sneaky utensil the "spork" (which has been known to shovel ice-cream into my mouth!). It seems even a utensil with the fortitude of the fork let down its guard one night in the drawer next to the spoon. Like Frankenstein and his monster, if only the fork could take back that terrible hybrid creation!

My Kids

Michelle texted me both of these. Gotta love it.

7 days and counting...

It's crazy how this stop-watch and I are fast becoming good friends. Michelle keeps having random contractions, and we've got all sorts of bets being taken on what day Katelyn will actually arrive. VERY exciting stuff... we're ready!

Haiti

We're so bummed out about what's going on in Haiti. It's total chaos and destruction in many parts. One thing VERY heavy on our heart is the little boy we sponsor through Compassion International. Wisterly lives in Haiti, about 13 miles from the epicenter of the quake. We're hoping everything is alright with Wisterly and his family, and praying for God's peace and protection over them.

Why not give to help our brothers and sister in haiti? BE the reason why we're still a great country, and give. If you can't think of where to give, try http://www.crossinternational.org
They use 98.3% of the funds for the actual relief.